Water From An Ancient Well

Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Great listening.

Amazing jazz record that I would have never heard of if not for this list.

I don't know how to describe what I just listened to - this is one of the most easygoing listening experiences I've ever had. I regret having not heard of Abdullah Ibrahim before (nor many of the other various players here) - but he's a leading figure in the 'Cape Jazz' subgenre that's rooted in South Africa. While it doesn't deviate too far from your typical 'Cool Jazz' formula, it almost takes a maximal approach to that subgenre ... in a minimal way that is. The song 'Manenberg Revisited' for example may be the most spacey here, but the light horns, piano, and especially that bassline allow for that voided space to thrive effortlessly, making "the space" its own instrument. It all feels like some sort of stroll, never pushing too far ahead too fast as it soaks in its own beaming atmosphere. It exercises its rudimentary ideas to the max before moving on to new ones; it reminds me a lot of ambient music in that sense. A lot of elements here reminded me of spiritual jazz as well, especially the shorter 'The Mountain'. This album maximizes minimalism, traditionalism, and clarity without ever coming off as dull or boring. It all feels like you're staring out into the sunset on the beach while it soundtracks the closing credits to a day filled with excursions and peace (especially with the title track). Some damn good jazz. And so so chill and soulful. Really loved this one.

Chill music makes for a nice commute. I'll look into more of his music & compositions.

Absolutely goated Jazz album. Feel like I need to play this on a record player, kick my feet up, and drink tea.

Yep, this one is great. Only part that jammed me up is that Apple Music didn’t have it available for the US. So listened in YouTube and got interrupted with ads

Really good! I’d be happy to throw this on anytime.

Absolutely beautiful! Ended up listening to it three times and it's been added to my bedtime I'm going to sleep now playlist

A really great album! I hadn't realized that I had heard some of these standards before. Ibrahim is a fantastic pianist. 5/5!

Absolutely beautiful. Soft buttery jazz that one simply melts into. Really recommend this album. 👌

Very nice

A beautiful album, a real surprise for me. Recorded in 1986, this is classic jazz and sounds like it could have been recorded 20 years sooner. Great playing by everyone involved and fantastic melodies.

"Water from an Ancient Well" is a jazz album by South African pianist and composer Abdullah Ibrahim. Ibrahim moved to New York in 1960 and lived in exile until the early 1990's. In that time, he recorded this album at Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. The album was produced by Sathima Bea Benjamin and besides Ibrahim also included Carlos Ward (alto flute), Ricky Ford (tenor sax), Charles Davis (baritone sax), David Williams (bass), Ben Riley (drums) and Dick Griffin (trombone). Ibrahim was a leading figure in the subgenre of Cape jazz. Piano and the horns open "Mandela." This has a fast pace and reminds me of jazz from the 1940's. Separate sax and trombone solos and then they join together. That is a pattern in this album. "Song for Sathima" slows things down with the piano and horns. A New Orleans vibe. An array of sax solos. This is very romantic and perfectly fits the title. "Mannesburg Revisited (Capetown Fringe)" has piano and drums with a machine-like beat. Very nice play between the piano and horns. A dramatic ending. "Water from an Ancient Well" starts with a slow piano melody. The drums and horns come in in unison. Sax and trombone solos all around with the baritone sax knocking it out of the park. And, a bass solo. Yes! The band just jams at the end. Epic at 11 minutes! "The Wedding" is slow and romantic with the tenor sax in lead. This reminded me of a slow dance. The song builds with the piano and drums. And, no they did forget the flautist. "The Mountain" has the alto flute in the lead. This made my day. This is soothing and just a great listen. The multiple horns take turn in the lead both within and between songs. The piano, bass and drums laying the foundation. The music just amazingly fits the song titles. I need to listen to more of Abdullan Ibrahim. Actually, I did after listening to this a few times. I was not disappointed. A recommendation for everyone.

Really glad this came up. Definitely gonna listen again!

The fuck!! This is a gem

Beautiful melancholic jazz. There are a few swingin' songs on here but most are subdued.

I didn’t know peace until I heard this album.

These songs are works of art. They go deep. They often have unconventional, exploratory structures but always feel pure of intention. From the heart and the head, but much more towards the heart. The sax playing is very melodic and soulful. Beautiful stuff

I don’t know a lot about jazz, but this album made me want to take the world by its hand and lively dance around a very small room with it, then hold it close and just let time move around me in slow, infinite circles.

Ancient Well scratched an itch I didn't know I had. Surprising and delightful. Not at all what I was expecting, but exactly what I needed.

Too sophisticated for me but great elevator music

Dis ca zo, el pimer disco en su toatlidad instrumental que me voló la cabeza, es tan ilustrativo y tan expresivo que lo volví a reescuchar mientras escribo esto, un completo ejemplo de lo que hacer en un disco sonoro. Cuadno destacar, las variaciones, repeticiones, los vientes, que bien los vientos, no se, no se que más decir las palabras nunca son justas enfrente a esta pintura musical 10/10.

Real groovy, made me happy

I’ve recently made my fondness for trombones known on this site. The trombone is featured throughout this album, giving it an edge in my ratings. This album is an excellent step in further acclimatizing me to jazz. I enjoyed it a lot.

Want

Jazzy!! good so far! 5 star - maybe not specifically this album although its not bad but all the low key jazz piano music that comes after listening to this is (chefskiss)

Fantastic. "Song for Sathima" is so sad and beautiful. And the melody kept surprising me with where it went. The players interact with and contrast each other in interesting, surprising way. Like the bassist who sounds like he's playing these little fragments of scales almost removed from what everyone else is playing. But it fits into the larger picture. The bass is awesome throughout -- it sounds almost funky on "Mannenberg Revisited." I like that the bass is upfront in the mix. Sometimes it can be hard to hear the bass solo in jazz but not here. There's a lot of creative, inspired playing throughout the album. The solos feel untamed. I was surprised to learn that the band leader is the pianist because that's the instrument I noticed the least on a first listen. I'm looking forward to playing to this album more and listening for him.

Smooth jazz. Great for background music. Love it!

Love this album and love Jazz in general.

I really like this. Makes me feel cheerful. Also having no lyrics makes it so good to listening when focus is needed. Loved it!

beautiful

amazing

Everything about this was great. The timing of where it came up for our group also could've helped. We needed something mellow.

Ahhh que bonito es lo vi ito

Gorgeous jazz piece

Loved it!

Enjoyed this album a lot. Players are all amazing, so much to hear and discover. Will definitely listen to a few more times at least

Nice jazz. An enjoyable listen

This was a surprising find; lots of different sorts of songs.

I fw this heavy.

Real pleasant all the way through. I'd probably listen on occasion again while cooking or something if it were on Apple Music.

I had no desire to listen to jazz (which is almost always the case), but this was great. Very easy on the ears with lots of interesting things happening.

Some very excellent jazz

Not sure if I'm high on endorphins or if I like jazz?!

This is really simple but still very elegant. Like, very clear jazz, like looking through a crystal ball or a very clean pond on a day with no wind. It doesn't feel or sound like anything special, but I would argue that actually makes it really good, just because jazz can get really crunchy really quickly. So, this album gets to be jazzy while still being very digestible. Also, I'm such a sucker for down-tempo jazz. Favorite Song(s): Song for Sathima

This was a very enjoyable jazz album, with a real timeless quality to it. The album starts strongly with the upbeat 'Mandela', followed by what for me is the standout track, the stunning 'Song for Sathima.' Overall, the album is a good blend of classic jazz and traditional South African music which I enjoyed enough for 4 stars.

Rate: 8/10

Classy afro Jazzes

thought this would be more like Sun Ra or Pharaoh Sanders, but was pleasantly surprised by the swing tune at the beginning of the album. really enjoyed this a lot

Jazz music is, as it was decribed numerous times, a separate realm, with its own armies of devoted fans. What this album is thankfully capable of is to make the genre more conceivable by the outsider listeners. A highly delicate collection of compositions that are ever-changing and different in many ways, but leave a feeling that you've experienced something smooth and worthwhile. "Song For Sathima", the title track and "The Mountain" are the highlights. The 12-minute-long title track is the most interesting during the first and the last few minutes. The album probably evolved into this more standard kind of jazz that you cannot perceive actively for long if not a lifetime long fan, but, as I've mentioned, it offers much beyond that, and is thus rightfully included in the 1001 list.

Pleasant jazz album, though I have heard more outstanding ones. It is a really easy listening one. 4/5

Casablanca Jazz. This feels like a smoky bar with men in tuxedos and women in slinky dresses, smoking French cigarettes and drinking 16-year single malt Scotch. Smooth atmospheric lounge jazz, all the way up until the end with "Sameeda" where the trumpeter loosens his tie and gets a little improvisational. Not bad for a jazz album, and while this may have opened up the artist to the world, I don't think this NEEDED to be heard. My Rating: 4/5

I had no particularly strong feelings about this album until the end. I thought Song for Sathima was very nice and that the instrumentation was very good (although I don’t think they would let you in the recording booth for a jazz album if you weren’t exceptional). And then came Sameeda, an extremely interesting choice for closing out the album. It has a real stank on it that wasn’t really present anywhere else. It also played a little more dynamically than some of the other inclusions. Overall I’m glad I listened and some of it will stick with me, but it’s not one I’m passionate about.

What a gem of an album. Love the title track.

Brady Bunch soundtrack ah album

Great jazz album. Compositions are inventive and beautiful. It put me in a great mood.

A gem.

This was really good jazz with soul, I’d love to find this one on vinyl

Very fun, title track stands out. 3.9/5

дали джазу. и нормально так дали. но я люблю что-то более неформатное и экспериментальное, здесь прям по классике. 4/5

A cool album. The sort of album that makes us glad we started the 1,001 album project because we likely never would have listened to it otherwise. Richly textured classical storytelling.

This was a lovely album. It is an easy swing and the music has an understated quality that I like. I suspect that time and place make it one of those albums that you have to hear before you die. The songs about Mandela & Manenberg Revisited are definitely political. I'll listen again

Thoroughly pleasant. It’s such a smooth, easy-listening time. It’s not ever going to massively grab my attention, but it doesn’t need to. It’s just a nice listen, and that's ok. 3.5 rounded up.

Very nice as a background music.

Very pleasant jazz. Sounded great the whole time

Pas un grand connaisseur de jazz mais s’écoute très bien en musique de fond. Du miel pour les oreilles

Very pleasant.

A hidden gem

Good

Very relaxing, simply smooth. There were many moments that made me think of other songs. I would be open to seeing what else he has to offer.

there’s a particular kind of peace this album carries… the feeling of arriving somewhere after a long journey, where the tension you forgot you were holding finally releases. it’s the sonic equivalent of a film’s final scene: the protagonist standing still, finally understanding something they couldn’t name before.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

de altíssimo nível pqp

jazz beeeeeeeem tranquilinho, gostosinho demais coisa boa. foi bem relaxante!!

That was extraordinary. I nearly turned it off because I wasn't in the mood for jazz but some of it was spellbinding! A rare, nice surprise from this list that I'll put on again.

Pretty good though nothing standouts to me.

Ja dit was gewoon een heel lekker album. Niets baanbrekends maar fijn om op te hebben

Jammer dat het niet ieeetsje avontuurlijker is. Verder wel een heerlijke jazzplaat met mooie arrangements.

No vocals at all. Only very smooth and relaxing South African jazz music. I think I'll use this album as something to listen to while I work on school projects. Ver gud!

Excelente disco de Jazz. Parar tudo, colocar um bom fone e apreciar esse disco por inteiro foi uma experiência muito legal! Kawanoaudio Horaiko.

V nice jazz album. Good bg music on the plane. Loved song for sathima

Incredible jazz album with a lot of great solo sections and written melodies. Loved the numerous ideas introduced in here, solid horns and winds and overall just great to listen to everything come together and create a beautiful soundscape. 7/10, Favorite Song: Mandela

This is the kind of jazz I like :)

Perfect! I've been getting into jazz a little bit lately (Sun Ra, mofos!!). This was a delight to listen to. 4

Delightful

A remarkable album! Abdullah Ibrahim displays his piano skills on Water from an Ancient Well Stellar from start to finish. Music like this can be considered simple by some, but it’s full of life if you listen closely. Ibrahim controls our emotions easily: his music can turn romantic, whimsical, and sorrowful within seconds. The piano is engaging, though special credit goes to the saxophonist whose playing stole my attention from the piano multiple times. Delightful from start to finish.

Awesomely surprised by this. Never heard of this artist before but this was a great jazz album.

For those looking on Spotify, you can find the title track on a different album (Cape Town Revisited). First five tracks are great - 5 star worthy - but then The Wedding takes a real Kenny G turn and the follow-up The Mountain doesn't do much for me either. Ends on an ok note with Sameeda. Would happily spin the front five many times again.

Its good But feels like its misding a certain something to make it excellent

Beautiful

good

This is jazz, so 4.

Absolutely never heard of this guy in my entire life, pretty cool stuff. Kinda just standard jazz. It's cool he's from South Africa I barely know any South African Musicians.

Released in 1986, but sounds more like classic 1960's jazz. Pitchfork: n/a Rolling Stone: n/a Best Songs Mandela

Very pleasant background music. Listened through it a couple times.

A fine time. Low 4

calm study

Just lovely. Could have been released in 1956 rather than 1986.

Except for the Wedding song, which was a bit too Michael Bolton-y, this was cool as heck. I would definitely put this on again. Nothing really memorable sticks out - I didn't have any catchy rhythms or melodies stuck in my head afterwards - but I had a good time listening to this. Complicated but accessible.

It was quite soothing and would listen again

I enjoy jazz, I don't really understand what I'm getting into but sometimes its thoroughly enjoyable. This is one of those times.

A nice jazz album to round out a somewhat stressful week. I think it's funny that, according to the Wikipedia summary, this album's claim to fame is that it was on this list. Albums like these are what I think of when it comes to instrumental jazz. While I generally prefer faster or harder music, I'll always have a soft spot for jazz. Playing around with instruments and just trying stuff, while still making it sound melodic, is something I think is more common in jazz than any other genre. ...Though it probably says something that I'm talking more about jazz as a genre, rather than this album. Water from an Ancient Well is an excellent listen, but nothing that's gonna stick in my head going forward. This, and Ibrahim in general I think, are definitely going on the list of albums/artists that I'll listen to if I wanna chill.

Jazzzzzz

Decent Jazz

Very pleasant background music. Unexpectedly enjoyable for a jazz album

Why is this lowkey peak. Someone commented "The music that plays when you get kicked out of a cantina." and that is TOTALLY the 2nd track HA. For the 3rd track it was giving Animal Crossing and I love it. I also love the title track, and The Mountain

Meget chill jazz klaver. Kan anbefales Var ikke tilgængelig på Apple Music

Great piano. Kept me warm on my walk in.

Reminds me of NPR's "all things considered" theme song. Easy listen, great to unwind with a crossword puzzle book. 4/5

I can't believe I've never heard of Ibrahim until now. This was fantastic.

Solid jazz with no frills, but also nothing that quite gave me chills either. I still liked it.

I don't like jazz, I haven't liked any jazz albums on here. I LOVE THIS. Perfect for reading my book to.

Very good for working

sleepy

I thought this was such a pleasant and easy listening jazz album with some really nice melodies and instrumentation. It felt pretty short and sweet

Wow. This was... I was at first like, Meh, another jazzy instrumental sort of thing... but this is sublime! I think the title, in a spiritual sense, is exactly spot on. This is ... Just wonderful! It is almost like new age jazz but kind of big band? I don't know exactly, but I loved it! Geez, this was a great find!

Unexpected gem, peaceful instrumental music to vibe to

I liked this more than I thought I would, nice way to start the morning

I am really a jazz snob (I find it to be a difficult genre for me), but this album I actually enjoyed listening to. It is very mellow and intricate. The Mountain is absolutely gorgeous.

9 Well I couldn’t actually listen to the album cos it’s not on Spotify but I just listened to a load of abdullab ibrahim and actually such lovely music am I finally gonna start enjoying jazz one of these days I feel like it could be coming

Some amazing jazz sounds!

7/10 Favorite: Song For Sathima

Honestly was not very excited going into this, but that was really good, I was surprised how much I enjoyed it.

pretty nice

I don’t know anything about jazz, but this is some smooth ass noodling.

Favs: The Mountain; Water From An Ancient Well; Tuang Guru;

This was genuinely moving, the title track in particular

It's jazz! I don't know might about jazz and even less about South African jazz. This had some diversity of mood, some really interesting harmony going on (especially on Sameeda) and some lovely melodies. Worth a listen! 4/5

Cats are cookin

*Water From An Ancient Well* is an instrumental jazz album by South African pianist Abdullah Ibrahim, first released in 1986. The album is celebrated for its serene, melodic compositions that blend African roots with American jazz, though some critiques note its production can feel dated. | **Aspect** | **Details** | | :--- | :--- | | **Release Year** | 1986 | | **Genre** | Jazz | | **Overall Style** | Soothing, melodic, and contemplative; a blend of African roots, gospel, and American jazz. | | **Key Themes** | Homage to South Africa, anti-apartheid resistance, family, and spiritual yearning. | | **Lyrics** | Fully instrumental album. | | **Production** | Recorded at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ. Described by some as warm but "not as crisp," sounding more like a 1950s recording than a mid-80s one. | ### 🎵 Music and Composition The music on *Water From An Ancient Well* is often described as **buttery smooth**, **contemplative**, and **gorgeous**. Ibrahim is characterized as a composer first, creating music that is a unique multi-genre voice combining gospel, African Khoi-san songs, Western classical music, and jazz. - **Musical Style**: Tracks often have a loose structure with a clear beginning and end, allowing freedom in the middle for solos. The arrangements are often subdued, creating a light, atmospheric quality that carries a heavy emotional weight. - **Instrumentation and Performances**: The album features a stellar ensemble. Ibrahim's piano is often **sparse and melodic**, acting as an anchor while giving space to other musicians. The horn section is a highlight, with tracks like "Song for Sathima" featuring **silky smooth saxophones**. The rhythm section provides a robust foundation, with "Manenberg Revisited" noted for its **fantastic and crazy bassline**. ### 🎙️ Production and Sound The album was recorded at the renowned **Van Gelder Studio** in New Jersey, a legendary location in jazz history. However, opinions on the production quality are mixed: - **Positive**: The recording has the unmistakable quality of a Rudy Van Gelder session, with one reviewer noting the vinyl edition presented a significant step-up in depth and sonic vibrancy compared to the CD. - **Critical**: Some listeners feel the production is a weak point, noting it **"sounds more 50's than 80's"** and lacks the crispness expected from a 1986 release. ### ✊🏾 Themes and Influence The album's power lies in its profound thematic depth, reflecting Ibrahim's life and the political struggle in South Africa. - **Political and Cultural Significance**: As an artist who lived under apartheid, Ibrahim's music was an act of resistance. The track "Mannenberg Revisited" is a reworking of his famous anti-apartheid anthem **"Mannenberg,"** which was considered an unofficial national anthem and a song of protest against forced removals. It is said that a copy of the record was smuggled to Nelson Mandela on Robben Island, who remarked that **"liberation is near"** upon hearing it. - **Personal Homages**: The album also contains deeply personal tracks. **"Song for Sathima"** is a beautiful dedication to his wife, while **"Mandela"** is an overt tribute to the imprisoned leader. ### 👍 Pros and Cons Based on critical reception and listener reviews, here are the album's general strengths and weaknesses: **Pros:** - **Timeless Melodies**: The compositions are consistently strong, graceful, and memorable. - **Emotional Depth**: The music is healing, beautiful, and capable of conveying a powerful political message without lyrics. - **Masterful Ensemble**: The interplay between the musicians is tight, elegant, and sensitive. **Cons:** - **Dated Production**: Some listeners may find the recording quality lacks the clarity and punch of modern or even contemporary 80s jazz albums. - **Subjective Engagement**: A few reviewers found some tracks unremarkable or felt the music was occasionally too background or "lift music"-like, failing to maintain engagement throughout. ### 💎 Conclusion *Water From An Ancient Well* is a significant and beautiful entry in Abdullah Ibrahim's vast discography. It may not be an album defined by technical virtuosic displays, but rather by its profound soul, melodic grace, and powerful historical context. If you are looking for a soothing, emotionally resonant jazz experience with deep roots in the South African struggle for freedom, this album is highly recommended.

Þetta er miklu betra en ég bjóst við.

wow

Just a calming listen,didnt really pick up on the african elements though apart from that trumpet in the first song sounding like an elephant 7.5

I really like the percussive elements in this album. Each instrument is allowed to shine here. I also like the exploration of different scales here.

Pretty good jazz album. Lacks a little flair that other more recognizable albums have but it is still enjoyable. Like how it got a bit “out there” near the end. 3.5/5 Might listen again

Solid if somewhat unremarkable jazz.

Rolig og stemningsfull jazz.

This was pretty good!

The ideological basis of apartheid was, aside from white supremacy, the one-to-one mapping of peoples and cultures: each race/tribe has their own culture and they are meant to develop separately. In this context ecclectic music performed by multi-racial ensembles and borrowing melodies, rhythms, styles, and arrangements from a variety of border crossing genres and traditions from within the country and across the Black world was a giant fuck you. A bold assertion of the cultural hybridity and creativity of African life - particularly township life. Hence the persecuccion of South Africa's jazz scene, the exile of star musicians, and the politicization of what would otherwise sounds like some of the most laid back mellow instrumental music - classic big(ish) band cool jazz with South African characteristics and a smooth as hell vibe.

It’s fine. Good music to chill to

This is an absolute jam. It’s classic, it’s timeless, it is easy to listen to.

4.4/immediately ordered this vinyl. vinyl in collection.

Solid jazz album.

Pleasant, easy to listen background jazz

Incredible jazz album! Read the first chapter of Owen meany to this. Such a good vibe so beautiful

Of all jazz albums we've heard on this list, this might be one of those that stands out the most from the crowd. I can't put my finger on exactly what it is that differentiates it from other jazz albums. It could be I found it to be less noodling and more structure to this than typical jazz records? Regardless, I enjoyed this very much, and it made me happy to listen to. Especially 'Song for Sathima' grabbed my attention. Would definitely want to revisit this again! Strong 4.

Didn’t know this artist but a great jazz album

Veldig fin jazzplate. Æ e lite i stand til å bedømme korvidt det e bra etter jazzstandarder, men æ likte det som behagelig musikk å høre på mens æ leste en bok.

It's debatable as to whether or not this is actually an album. It's also extremely debatable as to whether or not this album should be credited to Abdullah Ibrahim. What's not debatable is how good the jazz is here.

Enjoyable listen but nothing earth-shattering.

I was expecting this to be really bad, but I loved it!

Cool

Not a bad little jazz album. Some of the melodies and chord progressions were a little bland, but then occasionally there would be some really interesting things happening (intro to Water from an Ancient Well for example), and there were lots of great solos. I liked the combination in some tracks of an older, big band kind of feel combined with some more modern soloing and riffing. Not at all familiar with Abdullah Ibrahim, but based on this album I would try to listen to some of his other records. 3.5/5

Really enjoyed this album, especially the title track and the last track. It's not that common that a jazz album clicks with me, but this is one of them. 3.75/5

This was very relaxing and pleasant to listen to. Really enjoyed it. It's definitely made me want to check out his discography.

Was excited to get this for my listening today. The cover led me to think I might be encountering some spiritual jazz akin to Pharaoh Sanders. It's not really revelatory but just a solid album with some fabulous players.

Note: the 11 minute title track is unavailable on Spotify. Nice smooth jazz. A good soundtrack for a relaxing evening.

Very jazzy, very chill. A lot of the songs gave me old movie vibes. Like 60s thrillers and stuff.

J’avais l’impression d’écouter l’Album jazz que tout le monde imagine quand on imagine un disque de jazz. Mais sans la prétention. J’y ai senti un amour sincère de la musique. Accompagnerait bien une pratique spirituelle.

Great succession of albums. Didn't know this pianist at all before listening to this. He is so smooth and his band really make all this album work even more. A bit too slow sometimes but perfect to listen to at night under the stars. 8/10. fav songs : The Wedding & Water from an Ancient well

Not available on Apple Music in my region

Pleasant jazz, although it was a bit disorganized on Youtube music.

Really liked this one, listen to it multiple times

Easy listening jazz music. Inoffensive this could have been recorded anywhere from 1940 to now. It's good background music and ideal for coffee shops

4 - great jazz

I wasn’t expecting to like this, simply because jazz usually doesn’t vibe with me. However, after listening only to the first track I found myself quite invested. I’m not sure that I’ve heard of the subgenre “cool-jazz” before today, but this definitely felt very beatnik. It sounds like the kind of thing that Ned Flanders’s dad would enjoy. That probably makes it sound bad, but I enjoyed it.

Midden jaren tachtig toetert iemand met een diversiteit-bestendige naam een vrij ouderwets klinkend jazz-album vol. Kennelijk horen we hier de 'Van Gelder-sound' (zoek maar even op Wikipedia wat dat is). Eigenlijk vind ik dit best een lekker album, al horen we er misschien niet veel origineels aan.

Enjoyed it! Simply lovely, although impossible to download and very difficult to find on Spotify.

Jazz

Solid album, not much else to say.

Not bad - elevator music that was quite nice while working. Probably won’t listen again but didn’t mind this at all.

Very good

Skönt sväng. Fyra

Great jazz.

Pretty cool jazz album!

Apple Music didn’t have this record so I am rating « the enja heritage collection »

Vibey!

This is just an all around excellent jazz record. Incredible compositions. Great album.

Nice jazz - nothing too esoteric and I mean that in a positive way; feels like the kind of album you can play for most any audience and everyone's gonna like it (or at least not moan about it too much). I'm not familiar with Abdullah Ibrahim but I'm really liking this and will definitely put him on a keeper list. 7/10 4 stars YouTube music stream for future reference since it wasn't on Apple Music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mCC8-vI9pwvt_wvS9zTjzEeZ_H8gOWCKg

Absolutely not what I was expecting, in the most pleasant way possible.

A treat. Lovely stuff.

This is a solid record, but it's kind of a trip to listen to a 40 year old album that sounds like a 60 year album.

Another solid jazz album.

i am a sucker for some flute in jazz. just an amazing little group and album here! very glad to have found it from this

Pretty fun jazz album! And I’m not really a jazz fan

Smooth

Nyt kyllä osu Jazzit oikeaan saumaan. Oikeen hyvä ja virkistävä

Suoratoistopalveluni löysi levyn mutta en pystynyt.kuuntelemaan sitä. Se vähän mitä kuulin kun kollega soitti levyä oli hyvän kuuloista jazz.

Nyt on viskinmyötänen albumi! Hyviä sovituksia, hyvää soittoa.

Some of the better post-70’s jazz I’ve heard. 4/5

I‘m clearly not used to listening to songs without singing but this is a nice record to listen to. I enjoyed it and admire the drummer and pianist in particular. Impeccable skills. I didn’t really like the brass instruments on every song but they grew on me (and they sound like they are singing) and I can hear their undeniable skills too. Pleasurable album. The first song is the weakest in my opinion. But after that it only gets better.

Jazz album by South African jazz pianist. Good, jolly jazz. And some dreamy jazz. Pleasant and varied. Goes down smooth.

This is a nice enough time whilst it's on, but I generally like my Jazz to be pushing boundaries a little more than this dares to do

I really enjoyed this album. It's not Coltrane or Miles Davis but I found myself in that same vibe with it. I didn't like the dissonance of the way the last track started, but everything else was pretty good. I have to remember this guy going forward.

Big band jazz in South Africa just swings in a different way. This was absolutely lovely and unique. Wonderful recording.

With perhaps the exception of Mandela, this album just drips cool. Unbelievable solo work here and melodies that certainly move you

Very nice

Various emotions come out on this album, without any words being spoken. Masterfully played and put together. Easy listen.

Beautiful sound, easy listen

Hermoso album de Jazz

what a cool, groovy, fun album. Not going to wax poetic about jazz albums, but I appreciate the art and musical intelligence to accomplish.

[4]

négyes-erámat élem minden bizonnyal

Im digging the instrumental first thing in the morning. Its just hitting me right. I finished the album and didnt even realize it. No idea how many songs i went past

Really liked this album as a whole - this is the kind of jazz I've been pretty obsessed with recently.

Although I enjoy jazz I do not find myself listening to it, so it’s no surprise I had not known about this artist and album. It is a well rounded beautifully crafted set of tunes. Ibrahim gets so much emotion out of all the instruments, especially on the title track. Wonder album. Top 3 tracks: 1. Water From An Ancient Well 2. Mandela 3. Manenberg Revisited 8.5/10

Couldn’t find the actual album but the song with that title was pretty chill

progressive dentist office music

Different! Great music to work to. It started over and I didn't even blink.

There are some really beautiful melodies on this album. I love the ensemble that was put together. I had never heard of this before now but I am glad I’ve listened to it.

Im not a big jazz person, but this was a nice morning listen.

80's jazz albums are all over the place for me This album was very enjoyable. I especially like the bass on the track Maneberg Revisited.

already in list

This album surprised me. Usually, I give Jazz the side-eye. Never know whether I am going to get something I can enjoy or something akin to a sonic colonoscopy. In this case, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Second south-african jazz album during my stay on this project. They seem to know their stuff when it comes to jazz - and they most certainly deliver. Easy on the ears, but with added layers of various instruments that don't make these songs boring.

This isn't necessarily an album I'd listen to with my full attention. But it is something that would be nice to have on in the background while I'm doing something else.

Occasionally this list gives you an obscure album by an artist with a name you've never seen before. And occasionally, the list gives you a record that's rather difficult to find. For instance, while 'Water From An Ancient Well' does indeed show up on Spotify, it's not labelled correctly. And to make matters messier, the title track isn't even available anymore (at least in America). Thus, the simple experience of listening to the record is made more difficult by requiring just a little more effort than usual. But that effort is memorable and helpful! Because of these reasons, I really dreaded my duty to put this on; however, by the time of 'Song for Sathima', the second track, I was completely charmed by the expressive and somewhat dusty touch of these performances. 'Song for Sathima' itself sounds like the backing track to a lost Tom Waits track. I'm delighted to have found another jazz gem to insert into the occasional rotation, a record that stirs more within me than Kind of Blue ever can.

84/100. A smooth jazz album with a bit of inconsistency—some tracks definitely stand out more than others. Nonetheless, it’s a great jazz record and an enjoyable listen overall.

chill, smooth jazz, instrumental piano

This is a nice jazz album right here. I don't really have a ton to say. I like jazz, so I like this album. It's kind of interesting that this isn't actually my first jazz album to come from South Africa, considering I got Hugh Masekela's "Home Is Where The Music Is" back in September 2024. That album's good, and so is this one. I like it. The sound is nice and very pleasant. It's not super complex by jazz standards, but it's still fairly engaging. The pacing is solid. None of the songs go on for too long, not even the nearly 12-minute long title track which, for some reason, isn't on spotify despite the rest of the album being there. Water from an Ancient Well is pretty good. Low 4/5.

Great album but I had a hard time finding it. It was only available on Spotify

This was delightful. Really enjoyed this one.

Not the sound I was expecting. I would have been interested in that sound too. That's on me.

another jazz album, this one really at the roots of traditional instrumental jazz. it's very relaxing to listen to. compared to all the other jazz albums i've heard in the past, this one isn't too avantgarde or experimental, it's just straight up cool and simple jazz musak. if jazz isn't someone's favorite genre and they're looking for something a little less chaotic, i would probably have them listen to this album.

For some reason Apple Music shows the album but it won’t play. Had to go song by song to search for them on compilations. Which was a pain in the $&@ but worth it. Very cool music. Another artist and album I never heard any of it before, yet it was somehow familiar.

This was an enjoyable listen. I got Coltrane vibes at times and Vince Guaraldi vibes at others.

++: Mandela, Song for Sathima, Manenberg Revisited (Cape Town Fringe), Tuang Guru, Water from an Ancient Well, The Wedding, The Mountain, Sameeda 9,6/10

I readily admit that jazz is one of my blind spots. I enjoy and appreciate it whenever I listen, but, unlike with certain other genres, I don’t have the toolkit to understand or critique the music in its finer details. So for this review, I’m going on “feel.” With so few jazz releases in the 1001 Albums to Listen to Before You Die book, any inclusion must be truly groundbreaking or culturally significant. I'm not entirely sure Water From An Ancient Well meets either of those marks, but it is excellent in presenting a meeting of global jazz traditions with a touch of African flair. The musicianship here is undeniably top-tier. Ibrahim’s intricate compositions, along with the band’s skilled improvisation, create a rich tapestry of sound. The interaction between the instruments—particularly the dialogue between the piano and saxophone—is captivating. For example, in the track "Water from an Ancient Well", the deep, resonant tones of the piano pair beautifully with the subtle saxophone lines, creating an almost spiritual atmosphere. That said, the album can sometimes feel meandering. Some tracks seem to lose focus, with long stretches of improvisation that might feel a bit aimless to a casual listener. The lack of a clear melodic anchor in certain sections occasionally left me feeling adrift, though I imagine this open-endedness is part of the allure for more seasoned jazz listeners. Abdullah Ibrahim is a key figure in blending African and jazz music. This album showcases his ability to merge African rhythms with jazz improvisation, offering a unique cultural perspective. In the context of South Africa’s apartheid era, the album becomes a musical assertion of African identity on the global stage. Did/Do I own this release? No. Does this release belong on the list? The inclusion in 1001 Albums is deserved, not for revolutionizing jazz, but for exemplifying Ibrahim’s contribution to bridging cultures and pushing the boundaries of the genre. Would this release make my personal list? No. Will I be listening to it again? I can definitely see myself returning to this every now and then.

Inventive, tight and joyful jazz album 4.3

Not sure if I'd listen to this for anything but background music. However, this is very smooth, very nice background music. To quote my husband, "This jazz is...jazzy."

Some of the more pleasant jazz I've heard so far. The musicians sound like they are playing the same piece. If someone wanted to try jazz for the first time, this would be a good choice. Not chaotic like some of the more adventurous jazz albums I've gotten before

This album was such a nice surprise! I absolutely loved it to bits. I've been searching for nice instrumental music that isn't lofi (which I feel like ALL "chill" music is lofi these days). And whenever I search for chill jazz, it's not "quite my tempo" so to say. It's not too simple where it's boring, it's not too complicated where solos are melting your face, but complex enough where replaying songs allow you to hear new things each time. It's nice, it's smooth, it's "buttery", it's interesting, it's a great freaking album. 4/5

Nice easy to listen to jazz

Enjoyable.

Was familiar with some of his older. More straight ahead jazz music, and also heard some of his stuff from the early '70s and into the '80s. Somehow I missed this album, which seems like the perfect blend of a million things all rolled up into one. I very much enjoyed this, and me may search out an original album for my collection.

This was a cool jazz album. More traditional than I was expecting, given that the artist is South African, but it was a very pleasant listen 4/5

very soothing study music

4/5

Loved it.

Loved this. Rainy Sunday morning, egg poaching jazz

very smooth, liked it a lot

Very good.

Unexpected, but I liked the vibe

A gorgeous and happy-making jazz record. "Mandela" swings ever so sweetly (the man inspired some great and joyful music). There's an Ellingtonian feel throughout (especially the lush, langourous and lovely "Song for Sathima") that plays as celebratory rather than derivative. Such polish and elegance in the playing and barely an ill note across the whole side. "Manenberg Revisited" is gossamer beauty, a light breeze on a warm, sunny day on top of a gently(and interestingly) skiffling rhythm section. "The Mountain" is beauitful – one wishes only that it were longer. "Sameeda" gestures at post big-band tonalities. What a record. Delighted to have made its acquaintance.

Really beautiful.

Jazzy little bop

Walked into this without knowing anything, even then it was not anything I expected. Would maybe like it better at a different time and different headspace but I can tell it is well done.

One of the first jazz ones I’ve liked but it does seem easier to digest and more accessible than those others. It was pretty good but reading the context of this album from some of the reviews makes it so much cooler. Rating: 3.8

Smooth and Cool! Favorite track: Manenberg revisited other picks: mandela, song for sathima, the wedding

Surprisingly enjoyable for basically easy listening jazz

V peaceful

Subtle African flavours mixed into a relaxing jazz piece that delivers a great soundtrack for every cooking session or a soothing

MMMMM yeah this is just what I needed to listen to today. So jazzy so good.

Really liked how this one started. Felt like walking into a speakeasy back in the old days

Pretty delightful jazz. Nice coming across these albums every once in a while because the surprising lack of good music on this list; almost like a pallet cleanser. I do prefer other styles of jazz but this was good. 7/10

Decent jazz album

Really enjoyed. Perfect vibe for a relaxing Saturday morning.

Very beautiful!

Oooh mama mia, on a très rarement du jazz classique dans ce générateur, alors quand on m’en donne, je déguste

On a day when I needed music that noodled along pleasantly, requiring zero effort on my part that’s exactly what I got.

This hit the spot today, lifted me through the dreary commute in the rain. Feel like this album just had a bit more than other instrumental jazz we've had, it was a bit more cohesive but still with some solos and interesting turns here and there. Or maybe it was very much like the others and I was just in the mood today. Either way, enjoyed it.

I think I must have been in a good mood listening to this - potentially my favourite jazz album from this list (so far). I'm not a fan of free jazz - the first few songs on this album were therefore rather fun to listen to. I liked the recurring motifs, I thought the instruments were played well, there were distinct parts to the tracks, and overall there was a noticeable vibe created. The latter part of the album trails off, but on the strength of the first few tracks (Mandela especially) I'll knock this up to a 4.

Great album that I'd never heard of.

7.5/10. Really nice and pleasant soft jazz. :)

Fun album, but not all that unique for the genre

A really unexpected album! I wasn't expecting anything like this My favourite tracks were: - Song for Sathima - The Wedding - The Mountain It's a shame about the transition between Tuang Guru and The Wedding, had to replay that to make sure it wasn't my fault ! Unexpected, but I liked it. 4/5

Abdullah Ibrahim is a jazz pianist from South Africa, whose work is inspired by that of Thelonious Monk. For his birthplace, Ibrahim's work is often classified as "world music," when something akin to "New York City Jazz" would be more appropriate. Water From An Ancient World is a beautiful collection of expressive sounds, from a piano-based jazz band with a talented horn section.

I judged the album by its cover and expected new age boringness. Instead I got a nice, uplifting jazz album reminiscent of the jazz that's played on Charlie Brown cartoons. This was lovely.

A very enjoyable jazz album. Not 5* because I don't know if I'd go back to it.

A gem I would not have come across otherwise

Fav: The Mountain Least Fav: Sameeda

Not available in the US on Apple Music. I found the specific track on an album called “3” and am rating based on that. It’s beautiful.

I really really enjoyed this. I always dig a good jazz album. Throw it on in the background and let it take you on a ride.

Not available on Apple Music for some reason. Listened on YouTube. I was expecting some more middle eastern sounding for some reason, though I don't know what middle eastern jazz would sound like. This was nice and enjoyable. I'd put it on again.

Really solild album for just relaxing. Made me want to lay on the couch with my dog and sip a cocktail while I read.

On par with most other jazz from this list, so it’s good enough for at least 4 stars, although it wouldn’t be my first choice when listening to jazz.

Album 445 of 1001 Abdullah Ibrahim - Water From An Ancient Well Rating : 4 / 5 Some wonderful, smooth, swinging jazz. Was an awesome listen. Quite pleasant.

Extremely pleasant jazz record. It’s almost too pleasant, as I never get a sense of who Abdullah Ibrahim actually is - it simply lacks some character to be another perfect jazz addition on this list.

Some songs were good, i kinda liked it

Rating: 8/10 Very chill jazz album, extremely meditative and easy to listen to.

Not too long or complex. Making it an incredibly easy listen, yet still packed with interesting bits. Another jazz album I enjoyed.

I don't know much about Jazz music, and the write up didn't exactly sing it's praises, but I enjoyed this a lot. Not something I would listen to regularly but when the mood is right I can see myself revisiting this.

Really good, unique (to my ears) jazz. There were a few moments that had me pretty well enchanted by it. It surprisingly starts out pretty boppy, but it covers a lot of ground throughout with some ethereal moments and very melodic, almost lyrical moments sprinkled throughout. It’s one of those albums I’ve discovered through this project that could become all time favorites with more listens, I hope to keep this on a semi-frequent rotation.

I listen to jazz most days, all day, so when a jazz record comes along on this list, I always struggle to listen intently because it's very easy to let this music just slip away into the background while I'm working. But this one was new for me, and I absolutely loved it, especially Ricky Ford's howling sax throughout. I would encourage you to check out the context behind this, even if the album itself isn't exactly your flavor.

This meditative unearthing of ancestral waters culminates in tastes and sounds as ruminative as they are refreshing.

I tend to roll my eyes when I get anything in the jazz realm but shame on me today. I had no idea how much I would enjoy this. Probably a bit elevator-y at times but the musicality really grabbed me, it's got some brilliant moments and overall a good upbeat vibe. A pleasant surprise.

Unexpected

fun fun fun

Developing parallel to American jazz, South African jazz had begun to take root before Apartheid and would become a genre for resistance during the period of institutionalized segregation. A critical figure to this movement was Abdullah Ibrahim, who borrowed elements from local South African music such as Marabi in order to develop what is now known as Cape Jazz. Water From an Ancient Well is not Ibrahim's most renowned work, but it is still worth hearing for the 11-minute title track that embodies all the excellent jazz talent from South Africa. With a heightened importance placed on improvisation, you get the really hear the chops of every performer on this album. Ibrahim pulled together a bangin' septet for this album, and it's always a pleasure to see more jazz being represented on this list.

Good Jazz.

Whenever I get a jazz album I never know what to expect, mostly because I haven't expanded my music catalog enough. This album blew me away though, great album.

Never on my radar but smooth tunes. Nice will revisit.

Surprisingly, I found the title track on this to be the weakest. The rest of the album was very lovely. Very chill vibe with slightly free jazz like flavor.

this is nice jazz music. its not going to illicit a huge emotional reaction from me doe

me encanta el jazz

This album was a nice surprise. An easy to listen to jazz album from an artist I was not aware of. Very melodic and accessible. "Song for Sathima" in particular. I will give this another listen and perhaps look for more material!

Like sinking into a comfortable bed with freshly made sheets. Even without knowing the political overtones of the songs, this is a great record.

Eclectic mix of jazz influence, hard bop and swing and some southern NOLA jazz. Tame tempered and so tender, which shows more about the musicians involved than the actual album. But I digress, phenomenal album to slow dance to and to study if you're a fan of the non- chaotic improvised jazz. Its pretty mellow but takes a lot of risks in the main melody.

jazz

Great jazz album. It eas approachable, themes were interesting without being overwhelming, and I was challenged to listen closely. This is one to come back and ruminate on. There is more water in the ancient well. Headphone album for sure.

i liked it! not my favorite jazz album so far but very nice